Following up on Shams Charania’s report that the Knicks have been the most aggressive trade suitor for Collin Sexton so far, Marc Berman of The New York Post confirms that the team has the Cavaliers guard on its trade radar.
According to Berman, the Knicks would’ve picked Sexton over Kevin Knox in the 2018 draft if he had slipped to No. 9 instead of being selected at No. 8. Berman adds that Knicks forward Obi Toppin, who played his college ball at Dayton, may be a player the Cavs would target in a trade.
A source tells Berman that the Knicks – who hold the 19th and 21st overall picks – are open to trading out of the first round entirely in order to acquire an “established player.” Sexton has certainly established himself as a talented scorer, having averaged 24.5 points per game in 2020/21, though it’s unclear if New York would be willing to offer both of its first-round picks in a package for him.
Here’s more from around the East:
- Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel explores whether Sexton might be a fit for the Heat, concluding that such an acquisition would have to be accompanied by another significant addition in order to make Miami a legit contender in the East.
- Ayo Dosunmu, Daishen Nix, Kessler Edwards, Cameron Thomas, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Josh Christopher, Joel Ayayi, David Duke, Joe Wieskamp, Luka Garza, Moses Wright, Justin Champagnie, Sandro Mamukelashvili, John Petty, JT Thor, and Carlik Jones are among the prospects that have worked out for the Hawks or will do so soon, reports Chris Kirschner of The Athletic (Twitter link).
- Jalen Suggs is considered the most likely pick for the Raptors at No. 4 and has been referred to as a potential Kyle Lowry replacement. However, Eric Koreen of The Athletic isn’t convinced that the Raps will – or should – resign themselves to losing Lowry if they draft Suggs or another guard, suggesting that the veteran point guard’s free agency won’t be dependent on which player the team selects in the draft.
Knicks should be all in on Sexton.
Probably be Much better than blowing $20M on Dinwiddie or picking an inferior player at 19 or 21
I don’t know if Sexton is really worth Toppin and BOTH first rounders. I think 2 of the 3 would work well though.
Maybe if the Cavs tacked on Dylan Windler they could get all three.
Yeah that would be a little steep. Hopefully the Knicks don’t get robbed
I like Sexton but NO NO NO way Im giving that much…..to what, probably overpay next year?
To face the same prob Cle does today having 2 young small-ish young guards (They list Quick at 6’3 but looks more 6’1.5 skinny not great D)
Just challenge Cle next year on the RFA market and give up nothing with more data ……..An overpay for Sexton should come from a cap challenged team like the Lakers , Not Knicks who hold top ground in Cap game.
Money isn’t necessarily power in the NBA, but it sure does hold leverage and teams that have it need to be tuggin the rope as hard as they can to maximize its value before it quickly disappears
How is a disappointing rookie that plays the same position as your best player and a couple of low first rounders that much? Toppin might still have some value on the open market, but he has a lot less value by staying with the Knicks. Trading him for ANY asset that can used by the Knicks now is much better than him wasting away on the bench. You have to remember that he is not 19. A couple of seasons on the bench and then all of a sudden you have a 26 year old has proven nothing in the NBA and that potential will seem like it was a LONG time ago.
Besides getting Sexton now can help them see how he fits on the team BEFORE paying him a lot of money. Challenging the Cavs in the RFA market will just lead to a signing similar to Tim Hardaway Jr. And that didn’t work out well for NY at all.
I could see it both ways. On the one hand, you’re selling low on Toppin and it’s possible he takes a big step forward. And maybe Randle takes a step back or his atrocious playoff performance carries over? What if they make the playoffs and he wilts again? A lot can happen in a year; it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that Randle doesn’t get locked up long term.
Of course, on the other hand, if the Knicks do lock up Randle this offseason, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to keep Toppin, unless they want to try some kind of lineup with Robinson at center (if healthy), Randle at PF, Toppin at SF, RJ at SG, and whoever at PG. I don’t think NBA positions are as rigid as they used to be.
All that said, I agree that two of those three assets should get them close to Sexton. I’m not sure anyone the Knicks would draft that late could make much of an impact (but who knows?).
They will ultimately have to pay that money one way or the other for 23 –
I just think his low salary this year would double his trade value to a team in cap hell like Lakers Clippers GSW etc…
Knicks don’t have that problem…sure they could get a look at the long term fit next year, and theres value in that, but they aint getting around paying the tax bill when it comes 23-
I just think with the available funds I’m playing the field for free If I’m NYK rather than trading assets and going all in on 1 guy while selling 3 pretty good players in the balance. They’d have to be really High on Sexton and very Sure on him as well long term to push that pot over to Cle today. I see folding and getting a fresh set of cards to play with a better alternative for NYK
The Knicks cap room is a fair point. I agree that they should be looking for better players than Sexton. However, IF they want Sexton as much as the article believes, the Cavs are not just going to give him away for Kevin Knox and and autographed photo of Patrick Ewing. Sexton has flaws, but he is far more accomplished in the league than Toppin or a couple of unknown low first round picks.
Yea I hear ya, I mean if they are 100 on Sexton being THE Dude the next 6 years then by all means make that trade 8 days a week and be extremely happy at getting the opportunity to do it …..
It’s just the margins have to be soooo right….b/c the alternatives are very good in standing pat for NYK…..Now a team like the Lakes or Clips you could just put them over the ringer due to the cheap 22 price. Many other playoff teams as well
NYK is in a great spot tho, they should dictate mostly all talks they enter with outside parties- I also value that 19 and 21 quite a bit this year as well, maybe more than most to be fair, Im buying the “its not a typical draft year” hype
Saying all that if they are done with Toppin completely (I wouldnt be) and its Full Randle moving forward ; Toppin and 21 would be Ok with me – Perhaps future 2nd as well from Nyk
Knicks definitely should not trade OB1 for Sexton. However if it’s for Beal or Lillard that’s a different story.
You think Obi is going to get you those guys? He does not have that kind of value. Barrett might lead a deal for Beal or Lillard, and I emphasize might, but Toppin would be a virtual throw in to a deal for those two.
lmao, I like OB1, but to land Beal or Lillard, he’d be one of the like five or six assets needed to acquire either of them.
In my opinion,
Sexton value is only equal to 19th pick, nothing more
Toppin has more value than Sexton
Expiring contract doesn’t mean much
Expiring contract has little value to 76ers Lakers Celtics
Maybe I’m missing Toppin’s value….
Well if that is your opinion, that leads me even more to believe that I am correct in my completely opposite take. Thanx for helping me Sillivan.
Toppin has more value than Sexton? Come on. I’m a Knicks fan, but that is crazy.
2022-23 season
Toppin salary $5 million
Sexton projected $20 million
2023-24 season
Toppin salary $5 million
Sexton $23 million
You can use $33 million additional money to sign another free agent
Not to dispute you but Expiring contracts are definitely important to the Celtics, Lakers and Philly.
Isnt Als and Tristan Thompsons both expiring or partially guaranteed? probably gonna be used in whatever magic they decide to do this offseason
You would be a fool to think that.
Kyrie, Curry, Middleton, Lillard, Lavine, Brogdon and Beal. Only guards to average 20+ on 45+/35+/80+ shooting. Put aside his assists, move him to SG. Put aside his defense, coach him. he’s hsd 3 different head coaches in 3 years. Put some respect on Sexton’s name. His offensive numbers have improved almost across the board each year. This guy is going to be a consistent and efficient scorer. Cavs are fools to be ok giving Love 4/$140 and Allen a suggested 5/$100 but yet front on 1 of maybe 3 players in their HISTORY to average 24+
Sexton for Obi + assests is pure bs. Come on, Knicks, dont get robbed pls
Ntilikina and a number one pick for Sexton.
When will Knicks fans realize that they don’t have Ntikilina to overvalue in trade suggestions anymore?
Blahhhhhh…. sound of me vomiting
If Toppin is traded for Sexton, then at least the part of the FO that ran the Knicks draft in 2020 should be looking for work. You pick a 23 year old, then can’t get him minutes, then sell him for scrap. How many rinse and repeats of this nature does this fanbase have to tolerate?
Well no one really expected Randle to become an All NBA player when they selected him. Take away Randle’s great season and Toppin probably plays a lot more on a likely 25-29 win Knicks team. While Randle is probably traded for scraps to Charlotte or someone else. Toppin might be improved and look more worth his selection, but the Knicks would likely be a much worse team.
Of course not, but good FO’s don’t trade players that they value more highly than the market does. They hold the players they deem undervalued, and trade others or picks (it’s not like he’s their only trade chip, and some others have a more fixed market value, e.g., the picks).
If Toppin is traded into a depressed market, it’s because the Knicks FO doesn’t value any more than that low market. Basically, they’re admitting they screwed the pooch with the pick well beyond not anticipating Randle’s breakout year OR that they have zero patience or conviction.
I’m OK trading Toppin (would like too) if it’s to a team that values the guy enough to give us back at least some percentage of his draft day value. #8 pick becoming a throw in asset a year later is disgraceful waste of a prime asset. Even if you think highly of Sexton as a player, his asset value (contract) isn’t more than a mid 1st round pick. Remember that ATL couldn’t get even a low lottery pick for Collins, and NOP couldn’t get a 1st at all for Ball. Is Sexton so much better that it requires last year’s #8 and another 1st? Well, if Toppin is garbage, yeah, OK, do the deal, but admit you botched last year’s draft.
what has Obi accomplished again?
I know if you squint your eyes hard enough you might think you see Devin Booker in Sexton, but I assure you, they are not the same. Sexton is destined to be a 6th man.
Remember Toppin was drafted to take over PF. And Randle was the one expected to be traded. They were not ready to reup Randles contract. Then Thibs came and Randle became a real all star. Randle is really a changed player. Toppin will not see mins any time soon. He will be shopped and Cle should be looking at him. Sexton is not worth a trade to me. He has baggage that I don’t want on my Team. His O we can surely use, but not at that cost. Then he also wants to get paid. No no no. I rather trade up for Davion Mitchell if we are going to give up assets for a player. But why when we can just sign a ready leader, closer, 2way player, a FA. Keep all our assets for a trade for a scorer. Dinwiddie. Now I would take Okoro for Toppin straight up. I rather pay Dinwiddie than pay a head case Sexton. And then we give up players for the privilege of signing this head case. Please , next Idea for headlines Berman. I agree with Sillyman, Toppin will be better than Sexton. We are not trading for a major star. It would cost too much. But we can trade up and draft a future star. Kuminga, Bouknight, J Johnson, Mitchell, all fit a big need. All are projected starters with upside. With Sexton we go backwards. I rather Giddey, Ayo or D Duke,
Part of me wonders if the move is to trade Randle while he still has value and develop Obi (if coach Cobblepot buys in). Think we didn’t see enough of him this season.
Though tbf we didnt see much of Randle in the postseason either…
Sexton would be a great fit in NY. His style of game is great for the city and he would be a good fit alongside Barrett, Randle and Robinson.
Toppin would be a start of a good return for the Cavs. Wouldn’t have any interest in Knox and would rather 2 first round picks. Maybe give up a second round pick or some bench scrub.
Cavs would look solid with Garland Jalen Green (hopefully) Okoro Toppin and Allen, then the Knicks picks to go with Nance, Osman, etc etc
Jalen should be pick for Raptors. Unless they trade for Mobley. Suggs is a solid fit there. Plus VanVleet can really play both guard spots. They can even move him at trade deadline.
Give me Dosunmu and Duarte at 19 & 21
and skip Sexton altogether. Sign Ball.
That’s a much better allocation of funds.
A future backcourt of Ball, IQ, and those two rookies gives you an abundance of ballhandling, scoring and depth.
Sexton isn’t a good fit for the Knicks. They need a PG, not a ball hog at PG who averaged just over 4 assists in 35 minutes per game. Need touches for Randle, Barrett, this is a good draft to have multiple first rounders, and cap room for the following year of free agents. Knicks shouldn’t focus on next year, but the year after. Max FA, Randle re-signed, Barrett, Robinson, Rose, iQ, and a cadre of young 1st rounders is the way to go.
Context is everything. He increased his apg from 3 to 4.4. He did so playing next to the primary PG Garland who averaged 7pg. Often, his teammates were setting up him.
I truly think ppl need to revise their notion of a ball hog. If you’re a shooting guard and tasked with being the primary scorer, which he clearly is, and you do so efficiently based on his shooting %then how do you penalize him (by labeling him a ball hog) for doing his job? The way the media creates narratives and fans run with it amazes me. I bet most who say these things haven’t watched many games and are just regurgitating what anonymous sources loosely inferred.
So true my friend!
The amount of uninformed people around here is unbelievable… 4.4 APG for a SG scoring 24+ is pretty damn good, so the ball hog narrative is just hot garbage!
1000% correct, Sexton plays SG and has to share the ball with Garland. His main role on the team is scoring and when he is tasked with facilitating he upped his assists by 50%. Also have to take into account the Cavs suck for shooters and he’s probably giving players good looks that they either miss and pass up aswell. The Knicks also have Juilius Randle who averaged 6 assists per game, aswell as Barrett and Quickly who get touches and can facilitate abit. Sexton would most likely play the 1 spot for the Knicks and share the scoring duties with Randle.
Context. Minutes up, attempts up, percentages down, such as 3pt, FT (want those to stay or go up as you increase volume). He requires volume to achieve those numbers, but at rates others at the position exceed. In other words, he’s out of position and a defensive liability. If he was that valuable and good at what he does, he wouldn’t be on the market. And the contract excuse – they’re still going with Garland over him, which I agree with. Better facilitator, better jump shot, and better defender. He’s simply not the right player for that position and would be best suited as a player off the bench.
The same was said about him coming out of college. No different than with White on Chicago. The point I’m driving is the Knicks need a facilitator, not a scorer. He’s not a true facilitator or PG. never has and only plays the role due to his size.
my guy his overall FG% went up albeit on a minuscule level from .472 to .475. His 3pt % dipped slightly from .380 to .370 and his FT from .84 to .81. a still only 8 other guards had 20pts+ ph on 45%+/35%+/80%+ shooting.
Curry, Lillard, Lavine, Kyrie, Bogdon, Beal, Middleton and Rozier. And that’s with me lowering the bar under the numbers he achieved. If I set it for guys with 24pts and 4.4 assists or more then it would just be Curry, Beal, Lillard, Kyrie and Lavine. And factor in it’s only his 3rd year, he’s only 22, he’s gradually increased his FG% and assists pg each season and he’s had 4 different coaches in 3 years.
Fun fact. How many prayers in their “illustrious” history have ever scored 24 pts pg for a season…. not named LBJ or Kyrie Irving? Ding ding ding Collin Sexton. In fact in terms of career he currently sits at #4 for points per game as a Cav behind LBJ, Kyrie and the colorful World B Free. Sexton has averaged 20pts per game this far. How can a team with so little star power in its franchise be sooooo dismissive of a guy THEY DRAFTED when they CLEARLY have trouble drawing stars in from OUTSIDE of the organization? No team is trading you their best scorer in their prime and you constantly have to worry about stars bolting for better situations. Who are they saving their money for? Allen? Garland whose had 1 good season? But it was ok to overpay Love $140 mil coming off of two back to back injury plagued seasons where he missed over 40 games and without LBJ on a clearly rebuilding team? I mean, make this make sense to me? Sexton isnt perfect but he’s young and from most on record sources is a gym rat that’s competitive and wants to win. If everyone swears they can fix Ben Simmons then you mean no one can help this kid improve his team oriented defense? And I’ll take 4 apg from my shooting guard. He’s held his own head up against the game’s best guards too.
Im not saying bend over and give him the max but you still have him for 2 more years. See how he progresses. If OTHER TEAMS are coming at you knowing they would have to pay this kid soon then shouldn’t that tell the Cavs something? Again, he was their 1st round pick. GMs would salivate to get that kind of high% scoring from the 8th overall pick. How many 1st rounders have they whiffed on and now you, a team that MUST hit on its picks, are going to sell low on him rather than trying to build around him? I mean are Kyrie, Curry, Beal etc 6’7 guards that play great defense? Stop with this bull narrative. When they had a great defender in the post in Drummond they had a top 3 defensive team. There are other ways to protect a smaller backcourt but I wouldn’t sacrifice possible high octane offense for defensive purpose. This is still the nba and we have no CLEAR 20pt of scorer on the squad. Garland is going to need some help or else he’ll start shooting more and be called a “ball hog” too.
And as a Knicks fan he’s not the best PG choice but it doesn’t mean he couldn’t be a valuable SG. They need more offense and if he goes into a situation where he clearly doesn’t have to be the lead scorer and HAS options to pass to then I could see last years 4.4 (playing alongside Garland) bump to 6 or 7apg… easy. But you are being completely absurd to call him a “volume shooter” His 47/37/81 shooting contradicts that completely. He averaged slightly more ppg and shot at a slightly higher FG% than Randle.
link to cavaliersnation.com
Cavs don’t want him. It’s clear to me. They don’t want to pay him and be stuck with this. He is 22 and still could grow up, maybe. But I don’t want my team taking that on. Especially give up valuable assets for that. Wake up guys. We can sign a FA PG. We can move up draft and get one. We don’t need Sexton a one way hog.